Page 270 of 455

TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
Automatic Transmission with Overdrive
The gear shift selector display, located in the instrument
panel cluster, indicates the transmission gear range (the
selector is illuminated for night driving). The selector
lever is mounted on the right side of the steering column.
You must depress the brake pedal, to pull the selector
lever out of park (P) position (Brake Interlock System). To
drive, move the selector lever from Park or Neutral to the
desired drive position. Pull the selector lever toward you
when shifting into Reverse, Second, First or Park, or
when shifting out of Park.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from Park or
Neutral position into another gear range.“P” Park
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use Park while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range. Always apply parking brake first, then place the
selector in Park position. On 4-wheel-drive vehicles be
sure that the transfer case is in a drive position!
WARNING!
Never use Park position on an automatic transmis-
sion as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
270 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 282 of 455
PARKING BRAKE
The foot operated parking brake is positioned below the
lower left corner of the instrument panel. To release the
parking brake, pull the parking brake release handle.
NOTE:The instrument cluster red brake warning light
will come on and flash to indicate that the parking brake
is applied. You must be sure that the parking brake is
fully applied before leaving the vehicle.
Be sure the parking brake is firmly set when parked and
the gear shift lever is in the PARK position. When
parking on a hill you should apply the parking brake
before placing the gear shift lever in PARK, otherwise the
load on the transmission locking mechanism may make it
difficult to move the selector out of PARK.
282 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 322 of 455

With a Class III Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to
tow trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 5,000
lbs (2 268 kg) maximum. Factory-installed rear step
bumpers are rated a Class III hitch.
A frame mounted hitch of up to Class IV rating, as rated
by the hitch manufacturer, may also be installed. With a
Class IV Hitch, you can tow a trailer with a Gross Trailer
Weight of up to 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) maximum depend-
ing on your vehicle equipment.
Connecting Trailer Lighting And Electric Trailer
Brakes
NOTE:A 4-way trailer tow connector, located behind
the bumper, is standard equipment on all Ram pickup
models. This connector contains the following vehicle
circuits: park/tail lamps, left stop/turn lamp, right stop/
turn lamp, and ground. With the optional Trailer TowPrep package a 7-way connector is also provided with the
following additional circuits: backup lamp, trailer battery
and electric brake.
NOTE:There is also a 4–way connector located under
the instrument panel, located to the left of the brake
pedal that is used for the electric brake. This connector
contains the following vehicle circuits; power ground,
battery, stop lamp switch and electric brake feed. The
4–way is optional with the trailer tow prep package.
322 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 446 of 455

Infant Restraint.......................... 59
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 304
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 84
Instrument Cluster....................156,157
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 155
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 392
Interior Appearance Care.................. 391
Intermittent Wipers...................... 116
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Location........................... 336
Jack Operation.......................... 338
Jump Starting.......................... 344
Key, Replacement........................ 14
Key, Sentry............................. 13
Key-In Reminder......................... 12
Keyless Entry System...................... 24
Keys................................12,18Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 113
Lap Belts.............................. 44
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 36
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) . 63
Lights..............................74,109
Airbag............................58,158
Anti-Lock Warning..................162,284
Battery Saver......................... 111
Brake Warning........................ 162
Bulb Replacement...................... 394
Cap Top Clearance..................... 402
Center Mounted Stop................... 400
Check Engine......................... 157
Courtesy/Reading..................... 122
Cruise.............................. 161
Daytime Running...................... 112
Dual Wheel Assembly Rear............... 403
Fog ............................. 113,405
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator............... 280
446 INDEX